In this article, we break down why Zakynthos is the ideal place to buy a second home for Dutch citizens. We enlisted the help of Dutch travel blogger Milou van Roon (@Explorista), who has written about Zakynthos and organizes group trips for women all over the world.
About Milou Van Roon (@Explorista)
Meet Milou, native of Noord-Brabant and the face behind @Explorista.
“In 2013, I stood in my kitchen in Utrecht crying on a drizzly Monday morning. I suddenly realized that I had been depressed for months. I had no idea who I was and what I wanted in my life. The next few days I asked myself: what had always made me happy?
That answer was clear: To Travel!
And so I started traveling as much as possible, and decided to keep a blog about it. I quickly shared as many practical tips as possible, so that you can avoid stupid tourist restaurants, overpriced sights or run-down hotels. And that worked well. The combination of traveling and my new hobby ensured that I quickly climbed out of my depression and was happy again in life.”
About Zakynthos
This southernmost Ionian island was also called ‘the flower of the east’ or ‘Zante’ by the Venetians. For an unforgettable experience, Zakynthos is definitely the right place, as it is one of the most exotic islands in Greece! Visit its spectacular beaches, where the protected Caretta Caretta turtles lay their eggs. Especially the white sand of Sekania is very popular for this.
Furthermore, you can visit the world famous ‘shipwrecked beach’ (Navagio Beach) with its huge white rocks and clear blue water. Also some vineyards are centuries old and produce up to 60 different types of grapes.
Navagio Beach
Navagio Beach is in the area of the island opposite the capital town, so it’s best to rent a car if you want to go to Navagio Beach. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in Greece and definitely on the island of Zakynthos. It was originally called the beach of Agios Georgios, but that changed with the arrival of the shipwreck in 1980.
Bokhali
If you’re curious about the most beautiful part of the island, go to Bokhali, which offers a beautiful view over the harbor, full of photogenic alleys with old houses and traditional cafes, crowned with a Venetian castle; you shouldn’t miss it. Zakynthos also has a great nightlife and you can scuba dive. In other words: Zakynthos will continue to surprise you!
Rating Zakynthos for the Dutch
Rating Methodology
How did we decide what factors are most important for Dutch home buyers? To solve this challenge, we first asked our sales and legal team, who offer consultation and legal handling to dozens of Dutch clients (both those who do and don’t purchase a property). We then combined this data with a small survey of Dutch clients who ultimately purchased a home to find out their highest priorities.
Sea View
Zakynthos has one of the longest coastlines of any Greek island, at about 120 kilometers. Compare that to Santorini and Mykonos, which both have a coastline of 70-80 kilometers. Some parts of Zakynthos are undeveloped and there are many opportunities for beachfront homes. Some popular areas to get a sea view in Zakynthos are Argassi, Vassilikos, Kalamaki, Laganas, Limni Keri, and Tsilivi.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Direct Flights
From the Netherlands, there are a handfull of airports you can fly directly in Greece. One of those airports is in Zakynthos, and the flight from Amsterdam lasts slightly over three hours. While the direct flights are not as often compared to if you are traveling to Athens, this adds convenience because for most Greek islands, you need to take a plane to Athens and afterwards a boat journey for several hours.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Property Prices
Prices in Zakynthos are slightly less expensive than the other popular Greek islands in the Ionian chain. According to national averages from Spitogatos, the average price is 2000 Euros per square meter, compared to 2100 Euros in Corfu and 2180 in Kefalonia.
Prices for beachfront homes in Zakynthos are also less expensive than popular Greek islands like Lefkada (2600 Euros per square meter) and the Cyclades (3400 Euros per square meter).
Rating: 9 out of 10
Internet Speed
Internet Speeds are available in Greece via Speedtest by Ookla. Compared to other areas of Greece, Zakynthos’s internet is close to average.
Rating: 8 out of 10
English Speakers and Expatriate Community
If you choose one of Zakynthos’s most popular towns, like Tsilivi, Laganas, Kalamaki, Argassi, Alykes or Alikanasm, you will surely find English speakers or even Dutch speakers. The Ionian islands are growing a lot in popularity, so you can expect to see many visitors.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Zakynthos Overall Rating: 9.3/10
Group Trips with Milou
Explorista Travel organizes group trips for women. “With our female-only trips, we take you into a fairytale world full of magical landscapes, ancient history and fascinating culture.”
“Together with a small group of other female travellers you will delve into the local culture, immerse yourself in new customs and traditions, taste local dishes and see the most wonderful nature.” Book a trip with Milou here.
